CFL announces changes to the game - merged topics

[wpg#1]

NFL changed their kickoff rules/process to eliminate this.

SO I just looked at the NFL rules, the touchback still exists. I'm saying that almost all the kickoffs will just sail through the endzone and will pretty much kill kickoff returns because of the short field, similar to the nfl.

[GOLDMEMBER]

I love the Rourke comments. I gained loads of respect for the guy.
I love the passion for the Canadian game he has!

[Sir Blue and Gold]

And you are 100% right.  They are boiling us slowly.  If they want 10Y EZs and NFL widths, just come out and do it now.  It'll save SSK from spending $1.2M on new turf in both '27 and '28.

No one likes dishonesty or realizing they've been played, Johnston.

I don't think anyone is being dishonest. They probably have some framework plans depending on how things go. If these changes resonate against whatever KPIs they're tracking you're more likely to see more changes. There's probably a few paths before them that are lightly sketched out.

I would push back on there being some over-arching evil plan that is 100% being rolled out over x amount of time. That's not how strategic choices are typically made.

[The Zipp]

SO I just looked at the NFL rules, the touchback still exists. I'm saying that almost all the kickoffs will just sail through the endzone and will pretty much kill kickoff returns because of the short field, similar to the nfl.

This explains it

https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/rules-changes/dynamic-kickoff-rule-explainer/

[wpg#1]

This explains it

https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/rules-changes/dynamic-kickoff-rule-explainer/

Yes I see that. Again, my point is .. the shorter field and short endzone creates a situation where the ball is easy to sail right out of the back of the endzone ( still exists in the NFL) and therefore eliminates all kick returns. This is called a touchback in the NFL and will happen now in the CFL. The touchback still exists with the new dynamic kickoff rule in the NFL.
I don't like the shorter field and endzone for this reason. 

[The Zipp]

depends where they kick from and if they do anything like the NFL to encourage less touchbacks.

[theaardvark]

It may have been said here already but I want to point out that the shorter field pretty much eliminates kickoff returns. In the nfl, kickoffs almost always go right through the endzone, with no return ( touchback). The same will happen here. The nfl has little to do with the foot part of the name. Football ? Kicking and punting is really nothing in the nfl with the touchback and fair catch. Don't move the goalposts and DO NOT shorten the field.

Why?

They will move the KO back 10-15 yards.  They already did that recently to increase returns.  No reason for a kick to go through the EZ.  If anything, we might see non-runouts of deep kicks resulting in the new rouge.

[theaardvark]

MOS not consulted on this.  Huge fail imo.

Miller was... and agreed wholeheartedly.

[wpg#1]

Why?

They will move the KO back 10-15 yards.  They already did that recently to increase returns.  No reason for a kick to go through the EZ.  If anything, we might see non-runouts of deep kicks resulting in the new rouge.

Did they say they're moving the KO back 10 to 15 yards ? Is that what the CFL is doing ? Or are you just suggesting that they will ? Kickers are getting stronger.
There's just no reason to shorten the field... how's that for an answer? It's goofy.

[theaardvark]

If they wanted to Americanize the game, all the opportunities were there.  They took none of them.

Changes in configuration make sense, standardizing is logical long term.  If we move the season up and have our useless preseason down south, the fields will be ready to host.

If NFL teams want to preseason up here, we're ready to take the $$$.

One yard off the ball, 12 men, ratio, waggle, 3 downs, the things that make the CFL unique are still there.

Modified rouge, even Westwood is in favour, even though it would take him from 7th to 60th in league scoring...  wide right doesn't get a point anymore, although short might.

Clock is the worrisome one for me, with enhanced stats and computerization, it should be less of an issue, and there should be a way to fix it without going to a 35 second clock.  I guess we will see how it plays out in preseason, they can still make changes before the season starts. Or even after, like the chipped balls for kicking...

[theaardvark]

Did they say they're moving the KO back 10 to 15 yards ? Is that what the CFL is doing ? Or are you just suggesting that they will ? Kickers are getting stronger.
There's just no reason to shorten the field... how's that for an answer? It's goofy.

The 55 yard line is goofy.

Shortening it makes the field fit in MTL and TOR.

That's a reason.

And more scoring, 10 yards less for drives.  1 set of downs closer to point.

[wpg#1]

The 55 yard line is goofy.

Shortening it makes the field fit in MTL and TOR.

That's a reason.

And more scoring, 10 yards less for drives.  1 set of downs closer to point.

You somehow didn't answer the question ... That's ok. It seems the arguments for the changes have a lot of people avoiding the questions.

[BlueInCgy]

Did they say they're moving the KO back 10 to 15 yards ? Is that what the CFL is doing ? Or are you just suggesting that they will ? Kickers are getting stronger.
There's just no reason to shorten the field... how's that for an answer? It's goofy.

I suspect there will be a bunch of consequential rule changes due to the field changes.  Scrimmaging from the 40 is nearly starting at mid field now, and that really doesn't make sense.  Kicking off from the 40 with no Rouge potential also means a lot of kicks potentially carrying through the end zone which also results in scrimmaging from the 40 with no point benefit.

Punts from inside of center field will also increase, and I suspect if the OOB limit stays as is, you'll see the punting strategy being to punt OOB in the air for the opponents 40 plus.

15 yard no yards penalties are also more significant now with a shorter field.

None of the above makes the game more exciting in my opinion.

[wpg#1]

None of the above makes the game more exciting in my opinion.

There's that also. Does any of it make it more exciting ?
I'll stop posting and let the CFL know how I feel by keeping my wallet closed.

[theaardvark]

I have been a season ticket holder for over 40 years. It's the unique things about the CFL that bring me to games. All these changes eliminate or diminish the uniqueness. I am absolutely livid and will no longer be a Bomber fan or a CFL fan if these changes are implemented.

The game you "love" is the same.  3 Downs, ratio, one yard off the ball, waggle.  All the stuff that makes CFL unique.

Yes, the silly 55 yard line is gone. The rouge which most people, including kickers, thought was a reward for failure, is reduced. And the goalposts which block sightlines for fans, QB's, and receivers goes outside the playing field.

And teams on opposite sides of the field?  How is that a bad thing?  The game should not change whether you are playing in the east or west.  What if the "long change" dreaded in the NHL second period only happened in half the rinks?  You'd think that was dumb.

The clock I can't see getting to implementation in its proposed form.  That is too far for the "No lead is safe" league.  THAT will be modified in some way.

But the game you watch in 2027 is going to feel just the same, maybe a little faster and higher scoring, but that's a good thing, right?